• Skip to Content
  • Skip to Main Navigation
  • Skip to Local Navigation
  • Skip to Search
  • Skip to Sitemap
  • Skip to Footer
Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: FRINGILLIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

  • Related Species
  • Go to:

The Lesser Goldfinch is a small, seed-eating finch of the Southwest. It comes in two forms: a dark-backed one in Texas, and a greenish-backed one farther westward.

free birdsong downloads

Appearance

Finches
Finches
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small bird.
  • Bill small, pointed, conical, and dark.
  • Body bright yellow to dull brown.
  • Wings dark with large white wingbars and patches of white.
  • Large white patch in wing visible in flight.
  • Tail short and notched.
  • Breeding male bright yellow with black cap and wings, some with black backs.

Immature Description

Juvenile similar to adult female, except more buffy.

Range Map Help

Lesser Goldfinch Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Field MarksHelp

  • Male green-backed form
    Zoom In

    Lesser Goldfinch

    Male green-backed form
    • © Kevin T. Karlson
  • Female
    Zoom In

    Lesser Goldfinch

    Female
    • © Kevin T. Karlson
  • Male black-backed form
    Zoom In

    Lesser Goldfinch

    Male black-backed form
    • © Brian E. Small